The Berkeley MBA - Online Admissions Chat
November 1, 2011
Chat with Berkeley-Haas
Cindy Jennings Millette, Associate Director of Admissions
Kara Hayman, Associate Director of Admissions
Jessica Pohl Sinnarajah, Assistant Director of Admissions
Jeff Cowgill, Operations Manager
Lee Forgue, Admissions Specialist
Rocio Diaz, Admissions Specialist
Emily Ewell, MBA Class of 2012
Mike Ciulis, MBA Class of
2013
Vina Ryan, Moderator
Vina_Moderator: Hi and welcome to the Berkeley-Haas chat! My name is Vina and I will be moderating the chat today. Joining us will be Cindy Jennings Millette and Kara Hayman – Associate Directors of Admissions, Jessica Pohl Sinnarajah-Assistant Director of Admissions, Jeff Cowgill – Operations Manager, and Lee Forgue and Rocio Diaz – Admissions Specialists. We are also fortunate to have two current students - Mike Ciulis and Emily Ewell join us as well. Please send us your questions!
Lee_Berkeley: Hi! My name is Lee and I'm an admissions specialist. I'm here to answer your questions about the application process. I look forward to chatting with you.
Mike_MBA13: Hey everyone, welcome to the chat! I'm excited to get a chance to interact with you today. My name is Mike and I am a first year (Class of 2013). As form of background, I applied through the Consortium Fellowship program. I have been out of school for eight years, and spent time in consulting, investment banking and fixed income bond research. I am originally from Michigan, and studied Industrial and Operations Engineering at the University of Michigan. I am focusing on Entrepreneurship and Finance at Haas. Bring on the questions!
Emily_MBA12: Hi everyone! I'm Emily - a second year MBA/MPH dual degree student. I'm from DC and have a background in engineering and consulting... now transitioning to global health and business. I look forward to your questions!
Jessica_Berkeley: Hello! Thanks for joining us today.
Cindy_Berkeley: Welcome everyone! I'm happy to answer any questions.
Rocio_Berkeley: Hello! My name is Rocio and I'm an Admissions Specialist. I am happy to answer any of your questions about the admissions process.
Kara_Berkeley: Thanks for joining us today. My name is Kara Hayman and I am Associate Director of Admissions. I look forward to answering your questions.
IsaacV(Q): Hello, I was wondering if you could give me an average for the GMAT scores for acceptance?
Jessica_Berkeley(A): The average GMAT score is 714, with our 80% range from 675-740.
puneet_agarwal(Q): What is one of the things you like most about campus life at Haas
Mike_MBA13(A): What I love most about campus life at Haas is the area in which I live and the weather. The weather speaks for itself. It is so beautiful, nearly every single day. I am a pretty low-key person, so I enjoy that I can live close enough to campus to walk to class, but far enough that I don't feel like I'm living the undergrad life again.
SamHsu(Q): Hi I like to hear about Emily's background and what drew her to the MBA/MPH program. What did she like about the dual degree program and her insights on the admission process compared to the regular MBA program.
Emily_MBA12(A): I started working in college in pharma on the chemical engineering side and then figured out that I really enjoy health (more than just pharma per se) and wanted to work across healthcare sectors and more globally. I then transitioned to consulting (after college) and spent my time learning about health companies across pharma/provider and non-profit clients.
ndz1684(Q): to the students....what made you choose Berkeley over other schools that I’m sure you were accepted to?
Mike_MBA13(A): I chose Berkeley for two primary reasons: 1) it was on the west coast. I grew up in the Midwest, had lived in the South and wanted to explore another area of the country to expand my comfort zones. 2) it is a top program in entrepreneurship, social impact and finance, all areas of interest for me
IsaacV(Q): When is the deadline to apply for Fall 2012 semester?
Lee_Berkeley(A): We still have three deadlines left for applicants: December 1, January 18, and March 7. We recommend that you apply for the earliest deadline for which you can submit an application you are happy with!
Emily_MBA12: On the point about the regularly MBA vs. the MBA/MPH - I see this is a real opportunity for someone interested in health for their entire career as important for being able to speak across "both sides" - both medical and business side - or global health development and business. We also have the only integrated program in the country - so it's only one more semester (2.5 years) so you really can't beat that!
Javier(Q): Besides, could you please tell me whether there´s a maximum of age to apply for the current FULL-TIME MBA program?
Rocio_Berkeley(A): There is no maximum age to apply to the Full-Time MBA Program. Age is not taken into consideration when reviewing an application.
danistahlnecker(Q): Some MBA programs require a certain number of years work experience post undergraduate school. What work experience qualifications does Hass School of Business require? Are there ever exceptions to this? If so, what things can a candidate do to supplement this experience?
Cindy_Berkeley(A): Most of our students have at least 2 years of post-university professional work experience. Since we are looking at quality over quantity, there are exceptions made to this requirement depending on the quality of the experience. What we are reviewing by looking at your resume and letters of recommendation is career progression, leadership potential, team skills.
Javier(Q): In the significant accomplishment question, do I have to focus on work experience or personal experience?
Jeff_Berkeley(A): Hi Javier, this is entirely up to you. We want to hear what you think is your most significant accomplishment either professionally or personally. Keep in mind we are looking for things that may have stretched you and helped you to grow. We will want to know why you think it is significant and the long term impact it may have on you.
bryan(Q): Hi I'm Bryan Olay and this question is for Mike and Emily primarily: were there any class that you wish you took and were there any classes that you wish you didn't take? Do you currently have a favorite class?
Mike_MBA13(A): great question. Emily might be better to answer this since in the first semester, many of the classes are already selected for you. the first year courses include many of the core classes (finance, accounting, economics, etc.) in the second semester, i will have an opportunity to select electives. my favorite class so far has been Problem Finding, Problem Solving, which is a softer-skills class (remember, I was an engineer) that challenges the way we critically think
sara106(Q): Hi Lee, I was wondering if there is a significant difference between applying in round 2 vs. round 3?
Kara_Berkeley(A): Strength of each round can vary from year to year so it's difficult to say if there are significant differences between rounds from year to year. Historically, most offers of admission are made out of rounds 1, 2, and 3. Round 3 has become increasingly more competitive in recent years. Overall, it's best to apply as early as possible.
rohunr(Q): Hi, I am interested in Social Entrepreneurship. I was wondering if you could talk a little bit about your SE curriculum. What kind of courses and programs are offered and does the subject matter tie back into other course material?
Jessica_Berkeley(A): Hi rohunr, thanks for joining. There are several courses and programs that are offered through the Haas curriculum, and yes, the subject matter does tie back to other course material. One of our elective courses is called social enterprise and entrepreneurship, which you can learn more about here: http://mba.berkeley.edu/academics/elective.html (under Corporate Social Responsibility). Our BILD curriculum weaves what we've identified as core competencies for an innovative leader throughout the entire curriculum.
Matt(Q): What are the best steps that a prospective candidate can take who is expecting to apply with a 2-3 year range in order to best prepare and be competitive for acceptance?
Cindy_Berkeley(A): Matt, I think the best piece of advice I can give is to try to find an professional environment and position where you are given the opportunity to grow and progress. Find a mentor or a supervisor who you can learn from and grow from. As I mentioned, we are reviewing your resume and letters of recommendation. Finding those who can serve as mentors and can provide you feedback is very important.
Eric_S(Q): Why did you decide to do a full-time MBA over a part-time MBA?
Mike_MBA13(A): I chose to pursue the full-time MBA program because I really valued my involvement in the community outside of work. If I tried to do a part-time MBA, my time would have been spread too thin. I really wanted to be able to commit to learning as well as commit to my community. The MBA experience offers so many extracurricular opportunities
aximili85(Q): Hi Emily, had a question for you specifically regarding the dual MBA/MPH. What kind of job opportunities does that lead to, apart from consulting positions? (Top firms/payers/ that hire)
Emily_MBA12(A): One of the great things about our program at Haas is the diversity of our students (both within the healthcare sector and across the larger Haas community). We are a small class of dual-degree students (max 15 per class) so we don't often have two people go to the same company in a year. Our students generally get several offers that range from opportunities that are more "traditional" like Genentech, McKesson, and Kaiser to social such as Gates Foundation, PATH, Acumen fund, Ashoka to consulting (ZS Associates, McKinsey, and Bain) to other emerging areas such as impact investing, health policy, etc.OOPer(Q): I've been working full-time as an engineer for the past 7 years. I plan on continuing to work full-time, while working on the MBA program part-time. Do I have to fulfill any special requirements to attend part-time courses there?
Kara_Berkeley(A): The Evening & Weekend MBA program's admissions process if different from the Full-time MBA admissions process. Learn more about admissions requirement for the EW program here: http://ewmba.haas.berkeley.edu/. Specific admission requirements are posted here: http://ewmba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/requirements.html
Simy_Zegarra(Q): Hi, my name is Simy from Lima Peru. So first I would like about the international students admission. I was reading the requirements online and I was wondering about the international students’ admission. Do I need both TOEFL and GMAT?
Rocio_Berkeley(A): Hi Simy, all applicants are required to take the GMAT. Depending on the country of education, most international students also have to take the TOEFL. Our online application explains this requirement in more detail.
Karibi(Q): Hi, my name is Karibi and I my question is directed at Mike. Did you encounter any difficulties applying through the Consortium? Also, what round of the Consortium did you do? Thank you.
Mike_MBA13(A): Hi Karibi. I applied to the Consortium in early January of last year. Maybe you can be more specific by what you mean by "difficulties", but I found the experience a very positive one. The Consortium was responsive to any questions I had and handled that application process extremely professionally. The Consortium held several chats like this one. I participated in those if I had additional Q&A.
IsaacV(Q): Is it possible to use the best of two GMAT scores to combine for the best total score?
Lee_Berkeley(A): You cannot combine test scores to get a better total score, but you are able to report more than one score.
Nicolas_Soldi(Q): Hello everyone. I have a question regarding the type of teaching methodology in Hass. Do you see more case-study methodology, lectures, group assignments?
Emily_MBA12(A): We have a blended-learning methodology that pulls from a mix of case/lecture/experiential classes. Our mix across the program is about even for all 3 - however the mix per class is often different. For example, statistics may be mostly lecture and some cases while marketing maybe mostly cases with a group project and communications class is mostly lecture and experiential learning. We also have BILD - which is our experiential learning requirement - which helps us get more hands on experience - usually in an industry or content area of interest... like IBD!
IsaacV(Q): I'm about to graduate with my Bachelor's Degree in Finance and Marketing but want to pursue Management for the MBA program is that possible?Cindy_Berkeley(A): The Berkeley MBA Program is a general management degree. 40% of the curriculum is core required courses, and 60% are electives. We do not require students to choose a major or focus. Students may decide to specialize or focus their electives in a certain area of focus - like energy or technology or healthcare. While there are others who may decide to take a blend of courses focused in general management.
Simon(Q): Hello, my name is Simon Jacob and I am interested in applying for admission beginning fall 2013. I studied Aerospace Engineering BS, and currently working in Engineering. What are suggestions you would provide for the next two years to improve my candidacy?
Jeff_Berkeley(A): Hi Simon, great to see you thinking ahead. Take a look at the requirements and our student profile online. Determine for yourself how you feel you measure and look for areas for development. For example if your GMAT score is a little low, work on that. If you feel you need more leadership experience, be sure to seek that out at your work and even in your extra-curricular activities. We'll want to see a progression in your work and life experience, your growth, the opportunities you sought out and took advantage of. If you feel you are weak in a particular area, take classes or seek to address that in other ways. Take this time also to refine your goals, both immediately post-MBA and longer term and explore how the Berkeley MBA or your schools of choice would get you to your end goal. Good luck!
Paolo_Manila(Q): Good Evening, if I am an international applicant and earned my undergraduate degree from an english-taught university in Manila, would I still need to take the TOEFL? The reason I am asking is that some business schools accept a certificate of English as the medium of instruction from my undergraduate institution
Lee_Berkeley(A): TOEFL is waived for applicants who were educated in the Philippines.
Michael_Klueber(Q): About what % of applicants are granted interviews and then how many of them are accepted (estimate)?
Jessica_Berkeley(A): Hi Michael_Klueber, thanks for your question. Our percentages vary year by year, but last year, we accepted approximately 12% of the individuals who applied to our program.
Paul_Carter(Q): I have taken a non-traditional path in my career (military and then college). How will the fact that I do not have a vast amount of business work experience affect the probability of acceptance?
Kara_Berkeley(A): Paul_Carter - your military experience will be considered in your review. Candidates from less traditional pre-MBA paths can certainly be successful in the admissions process. Ultimately, we want to see transferrable skills, leadership potential, and clear reasoning on why an MBA will help you achieve your career goals.
KK(Q): How many applications have you received so far this year? Is that on par or more/less than previous years at this point?
Cindy_Berkeley(A): I'm afraid that we are not able to provide this information - as we have only just received applications for R1. It's so hard to guess at this point how many applications we'll receive this year.Karibi(Q): How would you describe the student body at Haas?
Mike_MBA13(A): Interesting question. I would describe the student body as DIVERSE!! From country of origin, to professional background, to other interests. It's a truly amazing and wonderful community. I've already learned so much from the diverse backgrounds of my classmates. In addition to having diverse backgrounds, I am challenged and truly humbled to be around such a bright group of peers.
brianspak(Q): How successful are graduates at finding jobs? Average starting salary out of Haas? How has the recession affected the program and graduates prospects?
Jessica_Berkeley(A): brianspak, here are the statistics on average starting salary and a select list of companies who recruit at Haas: http://mba.berkeley.edu/careers/employmentreports.html
RG(Q): For Emily: How did you decide to pursue the joint MBA/MPH? Do you think you can succeed in addressing global health challenges with only the MBA?
Emily_MBA12(A): This is a GREAT question! I believe you can succeed in almost anything if you put your full mind and energy toward a cause :) however, I DO very strongly believe the MBA/MPH is strongly positioned for unique healthcare leaders that benefit from understanding the "big picture" and intersection of all the players in the space. Health is (I think) the most complex industry we have and there are so many subtleties in terms of customer needs, payment systems, outcomes, technology enablers etc. that having the MPH can help anyone in a "global" role or traditional role be more effective and ultimately, a stronger leader. This is why we are a much sought after breed!
Michael_Klueber(Q): Hi, if Admissions "likes" a candidate, but thinks their GMAT score is too low, will Admissions waitlist the candidate and make them retake the GMAT, or is the GMAT score that is submitted with the application the only one that sticks?
Rocio_Berkeley(A): Hi Michael, the admissions committee reviews only the GMAT score reported on the application. In the event that a candidate is waitlisted, they have the option to retake the GMAT.
1fineday(Q): I have a question about transcript and GPA. My university does not provide GPA or other types of average score, do I need to calculate a average score and use this score in online application? Thanks!
Lee_Berkeley(A): If you were educated in the US and your school grades on a 4.0 scale, you must calculate and submit both a cumulative and two-year GPA. If you were educated in the US and your school does not grade on a 4.0 scale, check the box that states that the school is not on a 4.0 scale. If you were educated outside the US, complete the question for international applicants which asks for your degree and cumulative grade, if one is available.
Tank(Q): Can you give us a general view of the teaching method? Like case, lecture, simulation, etc. percentage? How student interact in class?
Mike_MBA13(A): The teaching method differs depending on the professor and class material. Some professor use primarily cases (I am enjoying these much more than I thought I would), some use just lecture, some use a combination. The same answer would apply to the second question of student interaction. All students are encouraged to raise discussion, but some environments lend to it more than othersMandy_Hjellming(Q): Does Haas offer any financial aid or scholarship program?
Cindy_Berkeley(A): Yes, please read about our financial aid opportunities on our website: http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/finaid/scholarships.html
JoieB(Q): Hello - I had question about admissions fees. Do you grant a fee waiver for Active Duty military applicants to Haas?
Lee_Berkeley(A): At this time, we are not able to offer an application fee waiver to Active Duty military applicants.
puneet_agarwal(Q): How would you describe the culture at Haas
Jeff_Berkeley(A): Hi Puneet, this is a big question. We discuss this extensively online at http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/community/index.html. Obviously, Berkeley is known for its collaborative culture. Our defining principles as a school and as a student body are: question the status quo, confidence without attitude, beyond yourself, and student always. http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/community/students.html. We have a diverse, yet close-knit student body and the culture of each student can make a pretty big impact on the whole.
KZipperer(Q): Thanks Jessica. My name is Ketiwe, I'm excited to be exploring Haas as an option for graduate school. I'm hoping you could expand a bit on how GMAT scores are used in the admissions process: How heavily are these scores weighted in relation to the entire application? Particularly, how they are viewed in relation to undergraduate performance, ie, is having a solid documented performance in quantitative or coursework considered more or less telling than a GMAT score?
Jessica_Berkeley(A): KZipperer, thanks for your question. Your GMAT score is just one component that we look at as part of your application. We do not weight your GMAT score or measure it against your undergraduate performance.
HuoP12012(Q): what percentage of R2 applicants do you interview approximately?
Kara_Berkeley(A): Number of candidates invited to interview can vary from year to year and from round to round. It really depends on the strength of the pool overall and within each round. As a result, we don't track % invited within each round since it can vary so much. Historically, ~20-25% of the entire candidate pool has been invited to interview. Again, this number can vary, though.
Simy_Zegarra(Q): For Emily and Mike; what was the most challenging part about the program?
Mike_MBA13(A): Most challenging part of the program is balancing learning in the classroom and learning outside the classroom. Haas offers exposure to so many amazing experiences: speakers, competitions, panels, company visits, etc. There is no shortage of opportunities to plug in outside of class, and so it has been difficult to balance these two.
mamadout12012(Q): Hello, this question is for Lee can an international student with no work experience in the U-S be admitted?Lee_Berkeley(A): While we strongly recommend that applicants to the MBA have at least two years of post-University work experience before beginning the program, we do not require that the experience be obtained in the US.
sara106(Q): What are some of the most common mistakes seen on applications?
Jessica_Berkeley(A): Hi sara106, this is a great question. The most common mistake is when applicants write essays/short answers with responses they THINK the admissions committee wants to hear. The truth is, there is no right answer to our essays/short answers. You really want to focus on being genuine through your responses as that will come through.
Simy_Zegarra(Q): Regarding the reference letters, do all my references have to be work related?
Rocio_Berkeley(A): We strongly encourage both letters of recommendation to be from professional references. If this is a challenge, an applicant may submit a letter from someone who has worked with them and can attest to the applicant's strengths.
Wannabe(Q): In my first GMAT, I had 700+ score but 640+ in my second. Should I retake GMAT for 2 round application or just concentrate on my essay?
Jessica_Berkeley(A): Wannabe, whether you decide to retake the GMAT is up to you. What I can tell you is that our average GMAT is 714 and our 80% range is 675-740.
aximili85(Q): General question regarding international student placement, do you have any statistics on the number of international students that get placed from Haas, within the US, as a % of graduating students?
Cindy_Berkeley(A): I'm afraid that I don't have that exact statistic - but I would suggest that you review our Employment Reports which may be helpful:
http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/careers/employmentreports.html (Detailed Class of 2011 reports will be coming soon.)
Wannabe(Q): Good to see you all~. As you mentioned, there is no maximum of age to apply. However, applicants should write about their work experience. I think 10+ years of experience might say that this candidate is too old... Is it?
Kara_Berkeley(A): Wannabe - we are not evaluating age in the admissions process. A more seasoned professional with 10+ years of work experience could very well be competitive in the process. The important thing will be for that candidate to describe why a Full-time MBA program is the right fit for their professional stage and career goals.
ngeorgijev(Q): Thanks for taking the time to answer questions. Would you recommend that someone with a GMAT under the 80% range re-take it? If not, what do you see as ways that we have a stronger application?
Jeff_Berkeley(A): Ngeorgijev, that depends on whether you think retaking the test would improve your score enough. If you look at your application and feel this is your weaker spot, it might be good to address it. If you are looking to apply soon, though and there are other areas you feel you want to address more or first, you will need to make that call yourself. If you fall under the 80% range of our current students, then to be competitive, we would need to see strengths in other areas of your application to compensate, such as work experience and academic performance.Nayantara_Khanna(Q): What sort of diversity do you look for?
Jessica_Berkeley(A): Nayantara_Khanna -- there's no one way we look at diversity. We look for individuals who can contribute back to the classroom and community, which can vary in professional work experience, extra-curriculars, background, etc.
Nayantara_Khanna(Q): Does my undergraduate degree have to be related to my masters at HAAS?
Lee_Berkeley(A): We have admitted students from many different backgrounds -- last year, only 24% had an undergraduate degree in business. Almost that many were engineering students and economics students (22% each), and 14% graduated in the social sciences.
riteshchopra(Q): Hi.. Can you please talk about some of the resources available for students looking at Entrepreneurship?
Mike_MBA13(A): there are more than I can name off the top of my head, but for starters, the Lester Center for Entrepreneurship is on the Haas Campus. In addition, there are many competitions to get involved: bPlan, Global Social Venture Competition, Venture Capital Investment Competition. There is a BILD course designed for entrepreneurship. There are also conferences and panels hosted at Haas that bring in prominent Venture Capitalists and Entrepreneurs
ndz1684(Q): what made you choose Berkeley over other schools?
Emily_MBA12(A): I would say the following on top of visiting the school and talking to current students - which I think can be the most impactful way to determine fit for your career goals/personality/experience you want in business school. 1. Culture - collaborate culture was really important for me in looking at programs so I could a) learn as much as possible from my peers and b) let my guard down to expose my real weaknesses for development. It also makes for a fun/energized environment inside and outside the classroom. 2. Size - in addition to fostering deep quality of relationships among our class, our resources on campus (academics and career) are a personal experience and it also means our alumni are very loyal to speaking with us if we reach out to them (they aren't getting emails from a million students - usually only a few per year so it's very manageable). 3. Entrepreneurship/Innovation - although this isn't something I'm pursuing in my career right now - I love thriving off of the innovative energy of my classmates. One of my roommates is launching a startup now (even though she already has a few offers) and it's been amazing to see her test her alpha and beta products with our classmates. I think it also helps us think about "challenging the status quo" no matter where we work - which is great!
aximili85(Q): How does Berkeley view lop-sided GMAT scores. I have a 710 (59% in math, 99% in Verbal), and have written it twice before (640, 640). Will this significantly hamper my application? I work for McKinsey & Co. as a Research Analyst in US Healthcare, and have had some opportunities at work to prove my quant skills. Can I balance it in anyway?
Cindy_Berkeley(A): Yes, you can balance this. The GMAT is only one factor in admission - There are so many different factors that we consider including undergraduate record, professional work experience, letters of recommendation, personal essays, etc. If your quantitative percentile is lower you can balance this by demonstrating quant skills in your professional experiences (projects), have letters of recommendation touch on your quant experience, or even take a class/ or highlight previous class experience that emphasize your quant background.
Simy_Zegarra(Q): For Emily and Mike, was it easy to adapt to your first year of studies? what do you think on having part time job while you are studying?
Mike_MBA13(A): thought it is possible, I would advise against a part-time job. Of all my classmates, I do not know one who is balancing the work load of the full-time MBA program with a part-time job. In addition, maintaining a job would take away from the full experience of school, which includes some of the fun we have outside of class
bert_w(Q): Hi. I'd like to apply for admissions beginning in fall 2013. I know admission is extremely competitive, and I had a below 3.0 GPA as an engineering undergrad. I've since worked about 6 years at major defense contractors and feel like the next big step in my career would be to get an MBA and move onto the business side. How much does GPA factor into the decision making process?
Kara_Berkeley(A): bert_w - your academic profile is one piece of the entire review. Within your academic profile, we are looking at your undergraduate performance, your GMAT score, and TOEFL or IELTS (if required). A weaker GPA can potentially be helped by a strong GMAT score within our competitive range. We also ask you to report your last 2-year GPA - hopefully your academic performance improved in your later college years when you were in the core of your major.
shenoypurvi(Q): I took my GMAT this October and ended up with a bad score ..I plan to retake it again...and apply in February, will that be too late? Also do chances become less applying that late for fall 2012?
Lee_Berkeley(A): You would be applying for our final deadline of March 7. There are smaller chances for admission in that round, simply because many of our offers of admission have been made and accepted. However, a good applicant is a good applicant, no matter when the application is submitted.
Chris_Burns(Q): Hi. Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. What admissions advice would you give to someone who is looking to change careers but has limited experience in the industry into which he/she wants to switch?
Emily_MBA12 (A): Well - this is the perfect reason to come back to school! Many of our students are "career switchers" and taking classes, leadership positions and getting involved in case competitions or conferences along your new function/industry of interest are a great way to position yourself! I would say it's also important to be able to describe your career evolution or "story" as to how you've realized this new industry/function is for you - both for MBA applications and for your job interviews in school.
Michael_Klueber(Q): Should we tell you in the application if Haas is our first choice?
Jessica_Berkeley(A): Michael_Klueber, you are more than welcome to tell us that Haas is your first choice (that is great news!). I will say, however, that this information will not sway our decision when reviewing your application. We review each application in the same format, whether Haas is your 1st or 5th choice (for example).
sara106(Q): With respect to the IBD program, how likely are you to get the choice / country you pick? I believe these are assigned?
Kara_Berkeley(A): sara106 - you are able to submit your interests and preferences for the IBD project. The IBD coordinators take these things into consideration when assigning projects.
MARCOSDELAVEGAC12012(Q): Hi, my university does not include class rank in the official transcripts as required by the website of Berkeley, can class rank be submitted by unofficially (i.e., electronic documentation from the secure university website)?
Lee_Berkeley(A): The Berkeley MBA application does not ask for class rank. Therefore, you will not have to try to obtain one for us.
eduaaraujo(Q): Is it possible for international students to apply at round 3? Some schools doesn’t recommend that since we wouldn't have time to get a visa, but since Haas's third round is only in January, I think that would be ok to apply. Is that correct? Thank you!
Lee_Berkeley(A): International students may apply in any of our four rounds.
eduaaraujo(Q): Mike, you said you chose Berkeley because of its strong entrepreneurship program. Did you have the chance to take advantage of that already, and how so? If you haven't, how are you planning to?
Mike_MBA13(A): I have been on campus for just a few months and already I am taking advantage of the school's strengths in entrepreneurship. Just this past weekend I attended the Digital Media and Entertainment Club's annual conference, which included panels of prominent Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. This week (application is due Thursday), I am applying for the Mayfield Fellowship, which includes a summer internship at a tech startup and a venture capitalist mentor.
IsaacV(Q): If you have a degree in Business do you have to retake courses you have already completed such as accounting and Marketing classes?
Jeff_Berkeley(A): There are certain courses that admitted students can test out of, such as accounting, data and decisions, etc. Marketing, Leading People and other key core courses may not be waived out of. All of that is described to admitted students and waiver exams are held during the summer, before student orientation.
Eitan(Q): Do most students know right away what area they want to specialize in? Do they spend the first month or two exploring the different areas the MBA has to offer or do you need to more or less know right away what you want to do?
Emily_MBA12(A): I'd say most people have thought about it (some may even think they're 100%) - but business school is the perfect time to push yourself and explore many opportunities either within or beyond your initial field of interest. In this situation - you "don't know what you don't know" so you will likely experience several doors opening into opportunities/fields/jobs you didn't know existed or would be interesting to you! This is a part of the fun of being a student again and exploring your passions and how you can manifest them during and after school!
zerdmann(Q): One of the optional essays asks applicants to discuss in which ways the applicant has demonstrated quantitative skills. As an applicant who did not take any math or science classes in undergrad, what particular quantitative skills that I should look to highlight?
Rocio_Berkeley(A): zerdmann -- You have a few options to highlight quantitative skills. One of them is taking a calculus or statistics college-level course at a community college or extension program. Another is with a higher quantitative score on the GMAT. As Cindy mentioned, you can also demonstrate quant skills in your professional experiences or on your letters of recommendation that touch on your quant experience.
karist(Q): Hi! A follow-up question regarding deadlines... I've read that it's usually advisable to apply to Round 1 & 2 deadlines. Most schools only have three (3) deadlines. Since Berkeley has four (4), will your Round 3 deadline be more or less equivalent to the Round 2 of other schools? Or does the acceptance rate start to dwindle down come Round 3? Thanks.
Cindy_Berkeley(A): It is best to apply as early as you possibly can; while putting together your strongest application possible. I wouldn't suggest rushing to submit your application if you feel you need more time to polish those essays, or retake the GMAT. We do not have quotas for how many we admit in each round; however, we do suggest that you avoid applying in R4, if possible, due to space limitations. Last year, we saw that R3 was somewhat competitive as well. Best piece of advice - apply when your application is the strongest.
adriana(Q): What’s the average score in the GMAT and the TOEFL?
Rocio_Berkeley(A): adriana -- The average GMAT score is 715 and the average TOEFL (iBT) is 110.
HillR12012(Q): How strict are the word limits on the essays? I'm finding myself at 260-265 on a couple and struggling to pair them down without sacrificing the meaning and flow.
Lee_Berkeley(A): While we do not generally count the words in the limited essays, please be aware that our evaluators are reading hundreds of applications and be considerate of them. If one or two of your essays are a few words over, that is not a problem; if all of them are over by 20% that might be a cause for concern.
junaidzaheer(Q): What is the basic difference in applying between R1 and R2?
Jeff_Berkeley(A): Hi, there is not much difference in applying in R1 vs R2. Each round is measured against other applicants submitted in that round. While it tends to become slightly more competitive in later rounds as there are also waitlisted candidates from previous rounds as well competing for the 240 slots, there is less of a difference between R1 and R2 than there is with R3 and R4.
Brad_Broadhead(Q): Mike, how has your experience with the career center been so far? How have you balanced recruiting with your first year classes?
Mike_MBA13(A): Brad, I have honestly been really impressed with the career center thus far. As a first year student, you are required to have around six meetings with the career center before you can be recruited on campus: career planning, resume building, networking, interviewing and cover letters. I may be missing one or two. I love my career advisor. She is awesome, very well informed and very helpful, thus far.
Simy_Zegarra(Q): Is it possible to have placements on non profit sectors?
Kara_Berkeley(A): Simy_Zegarra - students have a variety of opportunities to interact with non-profit organizations beyond the coursework offered in this area. One example is our Berkeley Board Fellows program where students can serve on the board of local non-profits. As for the career search, there are resources to help students navigate the non-profit hiring process such as through the Career Management Group and the Center for Non-profit and Public Leadership. Also note that the non-profit job search process can vary from traditional on-campus recruitment.
Mandy_Hjellming(Q): Do you find that most students post-Haas stay in the Bay Area/West Coast? Could you please speak to connections with businesses on the East Coast for both internship and job placement?
Emily_MBA12(A): I'd say that while most or our students stay in the West coast by choice (this is sometimes a reason why students come here to begin with - to "test" out the area) - our alumni relationships and company relationships are very strong on the East coast, and in the global market. We also do "treks" to NY for finance and DC for social impact (some student initiated) to connect with companies and contacts there. I worked this summer in Switzerland for my internship through a Haas alumni connection (now the CEO actually!) and it was a wonderful experience. I also connected with our alumni group there and we got together almost monthly which was amazing - I had no idea our network (and the broader Berkeley network) was that strong there!
bryan(Q): To the students: what do you think is the hardest part of the program?
Mike_MBA13(A): the hardest part of the program has been balancing studies with extracurricular involvement in clubs, competitions, conferences, company visits, etc. Haas offers so many opportunities to pursue career interests outside of the classroom, that it's sometimes too busy to balance those with studies.
1fineday(Q): Could you introduce some advantages Haas has in energy sector? I would like to transfer my career into energy-related PE, does Haas has related resources that I can utilize to realize my career change? Thank you!
Jessica_Berkeley(A): hi 1fineday, Haas has a great track record in the energy sector, starting with our Energy Institute at Haas. http://ei.haas.berkeley.edu/. Also, there are a number of students who are career switchers, including students who are trying to move into energy-related PE. We also have a number of finance courses, including Private Equity: Leveraged Buyouts that can address your needs in your career change. You can see a list of our elective courses here: http://mba.berkeley.edu/academics/elective.html
Simy_Zegarra(Q): what is the first step for international student to apply? What are the must do for international student that would like to join the program?
Kara_Berkeley(A): International students follow the same admission process. Please visit http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/requirements.html to learn more about admission requirements.David(Q): Hi Mike! Did you apply for admission through the Consortium in the 1st or 2nd round? I am planning to apply through the Consortium, but don't think I'll be able to meet the 1st round deadline on Nov 15. Hopefully it won't greatly diminish my chances. Thanks
Mike_MBA13(A): Hi David, I honestly don't remember which round it was, but I remember my application was due around Jan. 3. Applying then did not diminish my chances nor did it diminish the chances of my Consortium peers at Haas. Good luck!
Simy_Zegarra(Q): if I try in round 1 and for some reason I fail ...would that result affect next application in round 2 or 3? Or you evaluate each round separated?
Lee_Berkeley(A): If you applied in Round 1 and are not admitted, your application would be denied and you would not be permitted to apply again until our next application cycle, for Fall 2013 admission. Except for candidates placed on the waitlist (who are then on an entirely different evaluation schedule), applicants are either admitted or denied within the round in which they apply.
Juusan(Q): I graduated 2010 and immediately got a job - I've been working at MKT for little over a year but I spent the last year of college working in interdisciplinary global collaboration projects, so I don’t have a lot of work experience outside college. How does this affect my application?
Jessica_Berkeley(A): Hi Juusan, while I’m not sure what MKT is, I can tell you that our average number of years work experience is 5, with our 80% range of 3-7 years. Because your learning experience at Haas leverages a lot of your previous work experience, we really recommend that individuals have at least 2 years of work experience before applying to our program.
Ricardo_Arias(Q): Mike, I am applying through the consortium as well. Any tips?
Mike_MBA13(A): The Consortium wants to see that you have strong experience supporting the mission of helping underrepresented minorities in business. Demonstrate that experience in your Consortium-specific essays. I think a good tip is always to be yourself and speak (write) from the heart.
adelinexiao(Q): I am an international candidate and would like to join the management consulting industry after MBA. Are there any unique aspects that Haas can provide me to become a consultant? Can you talk about the job opportunities for International students if I would like to find a job in the U.S. Thank you!
Cindy_Berkeley(A): Yes - there are many aspects of Haas that can help you to become a consultant. I think our experiential learning opportunities are pretty key. They range from an applied innovation consulting project (Haas@Work) to a global consulting project (IBD). This is a chance for students to actually work with real clients on consulting engagements. There are many more examples which you can read about. http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/academics/experiential.html. This is why you see many of our students move into consulting post-MBA.
Alex_Guerra(Q): Hi and thanks again for this opportunity to answer questions. My name is Alex and I'm very interested on applying for the MBA at Berkeley; I've been enrolled on consulting since the 2nd year of my career whether it is for operations, logistics, marketing and more recently on finance and senior management... I've just graduated last 4 months ago and by the time I start an MBA I will have 1 year of labor experience (after graduation) however I believe I'm ready to share experiences and start an MBA since I started my consulting career 3 years ago and I've been promoted and worked for international and national companies and I have learned a lot ... I would like to hear from you your suggestions, May I Apply this time or should I wait more?
Jeff_Berkeley(A): Hi Alex, thank you for joining us. This is a tough question to answer without seeing your entire application. We do have a number of applicants with a year or less work experience, but tends to be more difficult for them to be able to highlight the growth, career progression and leadership opportunities than it is for applicants who have been in the workforce for longer. To compensate, you would need to have a very high quality of work experience in the short time that you have. You can also help by having strength in other areas of your application from extracurricular experience, especially if there has been leadership involved, a strong academic performance record, good test scores, etc. You would also need to be clear in your essays about why getting your MBA now is best for you and your goals. I can't answer that question for you, and indeed it may be one of the more important questions of your application. Best of luck!
nmartelo(Q): If I finished High School in the US and university in South America, do I need the TOEFL?
Lee_Berkeley(A): Yes, the TOEFL requirement is based on where you receive your undergraduate degree. It has nothing to do with where you were brought up or received your pre-college schooling.
bryan(Q): Has anyone participated in or plan to participate in the International Exchange Program? I'm very interested in International Business and I heard that although very enriching, studying abroad can cut into one's recruitment cycle. Secondary question: can someone please explain the company recruitment/application/interview cycle(s) during the school year?
Emily_MBA12(A): Ok here you go I'll do both and try to separate so it's clear :) RECRUITING CYCLE: For internships this occurs in the spring of your first year and the timing is staggered by industry with iBanking/consulting going first - followed by technology/healthcare/CPG - followed by real estate/social impact/VC/start-ups. Full time recruiting happens all second year with the timing also staggered by industry - but throughout the entire year (e.g. consulting interviews just finished last week). INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE: I'm planning on doing this next year and I think it really depends on (1) whether your industry recruits in the fall (2) whether you have a full-time offer from your summer internship - which many people do and (3) whether you go to a school where they'd have similar companies recruiting. I'd say you could always make this work but it really depends on your situation and interest areas. The bulk of full-time recruiting still happens in the spring so you're probably ok - but would be work checking!
OOPer(Q): Hi Mike, good to see a fellow Michigander :)
Mike_MBA13(A): yes!!! There is a healthy contingent of Haas students from Michigan. We gather on football Saturdays at my house to watch the Wolverines whoop up on unassuming Big Ten teams. Go Blue!
aximili85(Q): Regarding social/community service. I'll be honest; I have not made any consolidated effort in this direction. However, after viewing the Haas/other B-school apps criteria, I am starting to get involved with some initiatives. I'm applying for fall 2013, and realize this might look superficial. Can I be honest that I joined the initiative after viewing Haas apps, and that now that I am I actually feel that I am making a difference (which is a fact)? So my initial motivation is "wrong" but I want to be honest about it?
Kara_Berkeley(A): The most important part of extracurricular involvement is that you are making an impact in a way that is meaningful to you, or your community, etc. We are most interested to see that you have interest in getting involved in activities outside of your obligations. The Berkeley-Haas community is propelled by student involvement and we want to see that you have the potential to contribute beyond the classroom. In your case, your motivations for starting are less of a concern.
karist(Q): Hi, one of my recommenders (who was my former boss) is currently retired from work. I wanted her to write my 2nd recommendation on top of my current supervisor since she knows me pretty well and could attest very much to my capabilities. My question is, will it hamper my application that she is no longer working vis-a-vis getting a recommendation from someone who is still in the market and has a very good position or title?
Jessica_Berkeley(A): hi karist, no, it will not hamper your application if one of your recommenders is no longer working. What is important is that your recommender knows your work in detail and can speak to your work objectively.
uttara(Q): Between rounds 1,2 and 3 is there a significant advantage to applying in the first round?
Rocio_Berkeley(A): There is not a significant advantage to applying the first round. We encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, as later rounds become more competitive. In early rounds, it really depends on the competitiveness of the pool of applicants in that round.
NanesL12012(Q): Hello Mike, can you give us some detail on the Entrepreneurial resources Hass offers?
Mike_MBA13(A): Hi - I've answered this question a few times in the chat. Hopefully if you scroll up you can find it. If not, ask again and I'll get back to you.
Alex_Guerra(Q): I am taking the GMAT in two weeks so results would be over the deadline for December's round.. Can I apply with all the other requirements before and let the GMAT score be sent to you by the time the results are ready?
Lee_Berkeley(A): The GMAT must be completed by the deadline for which you apply. If you are taking the test in two weeks, it will be done well before the Rd2 deadline for December 1. If you are taking the test after December 1, you must apply for the next deadline of January 18.
GutierrezDuranR12012(Q): Hi, what classes or resources at Haas can help me learn more about greener energy practices that I can later apply in my company? Thanks!
Emily_MBA12(A): We have Cleantech to Market - a class which is multidisciplinary with engineering students and others which talk about greening as well as classes/workshops/speaker series through the Center for Responsible Business - which has a huge focus on sustainability. You can also attend the Net Impact conference and join the club here which does a lot in that space as well as BREC (Berkeley Resource and Energy Collaborative) which cuts across multiple Berkeley schools. This isn't my specialty area but you can also take classes in other schools (environmental science, urban planning etc.) which offer courses in this area!
Eitan(Q): How early do students start pursuing summer internships?
Mike_MBA13(A): pretty early! The recruiting season is just around the corner. part of it depends on your industry of interest. I think investment banks start earlier than others, but the bulk of recruiting occurs late year, early Jan. Emily may be better to answer this one since she has been through the process already, but the quick answer: early!
meevans(Q): I am interested in entrepreneurship, are you paired with a mentor at any point in time to help you move through that concentration?
Kara_Berkeley(A): There are a variety of resources made available through the Lester Center for Entrepreneurship. You can also leverage the Career Management Group, speaker series, the Entrepreneurs Association, etc. to help you along this path.
justineppie(Q): Hi! My name is Justin and I live way over in San Francisco. Although I have some excellent post-undergrad work experience, I am currently unemployed. Is there any disadvantage for unemployed candidates?
Cindy_Berkeley(A): Justin, Certainly this is a factor of life in this economy. As for anyone who has a gap in work experience, it is important to address specifics of how you are spending your time during this gap in work experience. Are you volunteering, taking classes, looking for another position?
Simy_Zegarra(Q): Since I live in Lima, I was wondering, if I am selected for an interview; where will the interview be conducted?
Lee_Berkeley(A): We have a network of alumni interviewers all over the world, so it is most likely that your interview will take place in Lima. If you do not live anywhere near one of our interviewers, our scheduler will work with you to find a solution that is workable for you.
MC(Q): Hi, I am a Human Resources professional with 3.5 years of experience in the field. I want to do an MBA to gain a holistic understanding of business or in simple terms be a better HR leader. I would like to know your opinion on how relevant an MBA be in my field? Are there companies that come to recruit for the Human Resources function? Also, are there students in the current/past MBA class with background in human resources and other social sciences? Thank you.
Jessica_Berkeley(A): MC, choosing to apply (and eventually attend) to an MBA program is a very personal reason, so only you can decide if, ultimately, pursuing an MBA is the right thing to do. Our students go into a number of industries and functions, including HR. Here is a link to our most recent employment report: http://mba.berkeley.edu/careers/employmentreports.html
Ricardo_Arias(Q): Mike, who did you choose for the mission recommendation?
Mike_MBA13(A): good question. Prior to school, I volunteered for four years working with high school students. I chose the father of one of those students, with whom I had a pretty high level of interaction.
bert_w(Q): Will transcripts of this chat session be recorded so I can download them and re-read the questions and answers more carefully?
Vina_Moderator(A): Yes, today's transcript should be posted on our site in about a week.
MZ(Q): Regarding interviews, are applicants invited only if they're waitlisted, or are all applicants required to interview prior to acceptance?Jeff_Berkeley(A): Hi MZ, during our application review, we will invite some of the applicants to interview. We may also place some applicants on the waitlist without an interview, but we will not offer admission to any students who have not interviewed. I hope that answers your question.
brianspak(Q): What is "the consortium"?
Mike_MBA13(A): http://www.cgsm.org/
danistahlnecker(Q): Is it important for a candidate to have international experience? What things can an individual do to make up for a lack of experience in this area?
Cindy_Berkeley(A): Although we certainly value international work experience, this is not a requirement. We have many students who do not have international experience. I think we are looking for diversity in professional experience and thought, so being able to demonstrate breadth in your experience is important.
RG(Q): Is the Consortium only for African Americans, Latinos and Native Americans, or those who have worked to increase diversity?
Jessica_Berkeley(A): RG, any individual may apply to the MBA program through the Consortium provided they are dedicated to the Consortium's mission of increasing/improving diversity. It is not limited to African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans.
VundavalliS12012(Q): What are some opportunities that exist at Haas for people interested in starting their own business?
Emily_MBA12(A): Great question! Your classmates will be your best resource as they are 1) free labor :) but 2) your best critical eye and captive audience for shaping and launching a new business. Our entrepreneurship class is very popular for individuals that want to launch a business and we link you with mentors in silicon valley to develop pitches and raise money to actually launch your idea (my roommate actually did this and won $10k to hire a developer and part time employee). We also have Entrepreneur Workshop (for companies that are already on their way) and New Product Development for product/service-focused companies with similar mentorship and coaching opportunities. Our Business Plan Competition is also extremely popular and we get applicants from all over the country - a great way to build a business plan and learn from others who are churning ideas in a large variety of spaces. The Lester Center also provides resources for working on an idea without having to worry about IP issues - they have mentors and coaches there and office-like work space - now a penthouse floor in Berkeley which is beautiful (you can see the Golden Gate Bridge from the working spaces - how amazing!)
Huong_Hoang(Q): Does Haas offer a loan repayment assistance program for graduates who go into public/nonprofit sector work?
Cindy_Berkeley(A): The Haas School is pleased to be one of the few top business schools to offer a loan repayment assistance program (LRAP).The LRAP is designed to provide financial support to recent graduates of the MBA program who are employed in the public or nonprofit sectors (where salaries are typically lower). Students working in nonprofit or government positions and earning $80,000 per year or less can apply to be reimbursed for student loan payments for a maximum period of ten years. More info on LRAP: http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/finaid/lrap.html
FuenmayorP12012(Q): how do you recommend we should present our resume? Timelines? Job titles? Skills or Accomplishment oriented?
Jeff_Berkeley(A): Hi FuenmayorP12012, I recommend that you keep to a fairly standard resume format that is easy to read and one that best presents the information you want to convey. Certain industries and positions may be best represented with more of a skills resume, while others in the more traditional chronological style. You'll want your reader to be able to quickly and easily pick up on the story you are telling.
Nicolas_Soldi(Q): To Mike and Emily, how much research/networking did you do for your Haas application? Did you visit the campus? Were you able to meet the admissions crew and have them recognize your name? If so, do you think this helped your application?
Mike_MBA13(A): I did not do very much networking, mostly because Haas was on the other side of the country and I did not know any alumni. I did a lot of research though. Business school is a heavy investment of time and financial resources, so I wanted to make sure I made the right choice. I would highly recommend that you go and visit the campuses of the schools to which you apply. Meet the students, meet the faculty. You will quickly get a feel for the culture of the school, and that will carry a lot of weight in your decision.
shenoypurvi(Q): are people with very strong applications considered with a low score?
Rocio_Berkeley(A): The admissions reviews the application as a whole, therefore applications with a low GMAT score are considered. Applicants may choose to balance this out with a stronger GPA, taking quantitative courses, etc.
IsaacV(Q): is it possible to apply for spring of 2012?
Lee_Berkeley(A): We offer admission only for the fall semester, so the current admission cycle is for Fall 2012 and the next will be for Fall 2013.
shenoypurvi(Q): can I apply right now and submit my current GMAT score or retake my GMAT and then apply?
Jeff_Berkeley(A): Hi shenoypurvi, in order to apply in Round 2, you will need to have already taken the GMAT by the deadline of December 1st. You can submit now, but any test you take must be taken prior to the deadline in order for us to consider it in that round.Karthik_Raman(Q): I spent a couple years in India running a social enterprise. How can Haas help me develop leadership skills applicable to the social enterprise field? What kinds of contacts would Haas equip me with were I to start another social enterprise?
Jessica_Berkeley(A): Karthik_Raman -- at Haas, we have identified a number of competencies that comprise an innovative leader, which is what Haas strives to develop -- future innovative leaders. You'll learn a number of leadership skills that are applicable to the social enterprise field. In terms of contacts, as a student, you'll have full access to alums, in and out of social entrepreneurship, in addition to work with your Career Advisor to help steer you into the direction you need to pursue your career goals.
Huong_Hoang(Q): Mike, how many Consortium members are in your class?
Mike_MBA13(A): There are about 15-20 of us at Haas. The Consortium did not have a relationship with Haas two years ago because of some prohibitive laws in the state of California, so those 15-20 are in the first year class only. Next year, we'll have a combined 40ish from the Consortium.
Mark_Gallinaro(Q): What are some of the opportunities to study abroad while at Haas? Are there opportunities for both semester long trips and shorter trips?
Emily_MBA12(A): I spoke earlier about the semester program, but we have many opportunities for shorter trips. We have a 5-week winter break (one of the longest among MBA programs) so many of us do "treks" with classmates (either professional, for fun, or some of both!) and IBD (International Business Development) is another great way to work with an international client and spend 3 weeks (paid for) in country with a client. I'm also going to Mexico in a few weekends for a project I'm working on and received special funding to support my teams research there. Many opportunities but those are just a few - about 50% of our class (120 students) did IBD last year so there's not ever been a limit on how many students can participate.
ndesai81(Q): I am interested in applying through the Consortium (Round 2), but am worried about the late deadline (January 5) and have heard that the way you rank schools can factor into admissions decisions (so if you rank a school lower, they take that into consideration).
Cindy_Berkeley(A): We do not consider rankings of schools in our admission process. We review R1 and R2 Consortium applications together - Notification will be by March 1 for both rounds. So, I wouldn't be concerned about applying in R2. The advantage to applying in R1 is that you could receive an interview invitation earlier - but we will be admitting applicants from both rounds. Hope this helps ease your concern!
Rus_Van_Gorp(Q): Mike, can you talk about the Consortium OP and how it has prepared you for recruiting?
Mike_MBA13(A): The Consortium OP was an amazing experience. Since the OP includes a career fair, you are forced to get your resume up to date. The Haas career center worked with each Consortium member to help prepare him/her for the OP.
siddharth.phadkar(Q): Good Evening, This year’s admissions essay list mentions that there is a 1000 word limit for questions 6a and 6b. Does this this mean 1000 each or 1000 in total for the two questions?
Jeff_Berkeley(A): Hi siddharth, you have a total of 1000 to answer both 6a and 6b.
ridha1981(Q): Can this chat log be made available to those who registered ?
Vina_Moderator(A): Yes, today's transcript will be available on our site in about a week.
KZipperer(Q): Does applying through the Consortium increase our chances of admission? (Assuming that you have, in fact, actively worked towards their mission)
Jessica_Berkeley(A): No, applying through the Consortium does not increase (or worsen) your chances of admission. All applications, Consortium and not, are evaluated in the same manner and concurrently.
ridha1981(Q): How popular has CSR been as a professional orientation in recent applicants - could you provide a rough percentage ?
Kara_Berkeley(A): We do see many competitive candidates from the space each year, but it's difficult to give you an exact percentage since CSR can be a part of a person's organizational approach and not always their exact title. Students are also attracted to Haas because of our strength in the CSR space and the related Area of Emphasis (http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/academics/csr.html). Overall, we see that many of our current students have an interest in responsible business to some degree.
GutierrezDuranR12012(Q): When are interviews for Round 2 offered?
Rocio_Berkeley(A): Interviews for Round 2 (and all other rounds) start rolling out 4 to 6 weeks after the deadline.
Andrew_Ullah(Q): Mike_MBA13, when you applied through the consortium, how did you address your mission statement recommender, and what information did you hope to pull from your recommender to strengthen your chances of getting into Haas as well as being awarded the fellowship?
Mike_MBA13(A): I urged each of my recommenders to stress different strengths of mine so that in the combined application, the recommendations would encompass everything I wanted Haas to know about me. So I just had coffee with my recommender and talked him through the schools to which I was applying, my motivation behind my applications, and how I thought his recommendation could fit into the overall application
anniek(Q): Can you speak to the social impact opportunities at Haas? E.g. programs, coursework
Emily_MBA12(A): WOW we have so many there's not enough time to speak to even a portion of them in a chat format! I'd recommend looking up the Center for Responsible Business, Blum Center, Center for Non-Profit and Public Leadership, CEGA! We have such a wealth of interest within Haas and the larger campus it's inspiring!! Net Impact and IDEC (International Development and Enterprise Club) are also very active on campus and we have lots of career and company connections in this space - both big and small! We are also rated #2 for social impact MBAs globally!
Eitan(Q): If my spouse is a full time employee at Berkeley (post doc) is there any tuition waiver/reduction?
Lee_Berkeley(A): You would have to discuss this with the benefits counselor at his department, but in general there are no tuition reduction programs for spouses that we are aware of.
Nicolas_Soldi(Q): Can some of the members of the Admissions team give examples of who people chose as recommenders in the past in successful applications? I ask because there's a misconception that it needs to be your boss or a CEO.
Jessica_Berkeley(A): Nicolas_Soldi -- this is a great question. We prefer that your recommenders be a current or former supervisor, someone who knows your work in detail and can speak on your behalf objectively. However, we understand that asking a current supervisor may not be an option (given that you do not want to jeopardize your position at your company), so a colleague will suffice as well. It is not necessary that the CEO of your company write your recommendation, unless that CEO is an individual who intimately knows your work and can speak on your behalf.
LiuC62012(Q): Hi, my background is in semiconductor manufacturing, and career goal is GM in the high tech electronics industry. How is this fit into HAAS?
Cindy_Berkeley(A): This is a very specific focus - although I would say that the breadth of the general management curriculum and focus in technology is strong at Haas. You might want to learn more about the Management of Technology Program: http://mot.berkeley.edu/ and you might want to consider reaching out to some students in the tech club to learn more about the electronics industry representation at Haas: http://haas.campusgroups.com/htc/home/
VundavalliS12012(Q): Hey Everyone! My name is Sushil I'm interested in applying for round 2 admissions this year. This question is for Mike or Emily. What advice do you have for someone starting the application process? Is there a way I can connect with a Haas alumnus in New York to find out more about the program?
Emily_MBA12(A): Unfortunately we can't connect you with an alumni directly - but I would take a look on LinkedIn and see if you can connect with a current student or alumni. AS FOR ADVICE - be yourself! We want people who are motivate and passionate about who they are, what they want, and what they need to get there ;) take time to really think and probe yourself on these questions - your genuine voice will come through!
puneet_agarwal(Q): How strong is the Haas program in strategic management?
Kara_Berkeley(A): The Berkeley-Haas curriculum is very strong in general management and the Areas of Emphasis. There is a lot of opportunity to tailor your curriculum to your career goals through the Areas of Emphasis. Visit http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/academics/areasofemphasis.html to learn more.
danistahlnecker(Q): To either Emily or Mike: How long before you applied had you been considering applying for B-school? What things did you do to help you prepare?
Mike_MBA13(A): I was a little early on this one. I decided in 2009 that I would apply in 2011. I knew that there were a few things that I still wanted to accomplish in the workplace, but also knew that my upward mobility would be limited in 2011. It was a perfect time for me to come back to school and supplement my on the job training with some fundamental curriculum. I enrolled in GMAT study session.
asdf(Q): My TOEFL is 102, lower than your average... should I re-test it?
Lee_Berkeley(A): Our middle 80% range for the TOEFL is 102-117. You are at the low end of that range, and will have to determine for yourself whether to retest. Things you should consider are how strong the rest of your application is and whether or not you will actually raise your TOEFL score.
ngeorgijev(Q): Can you touch upon the interview process and the type of questions that we can expect if chosen. Also, what do you expect from candidates in interviews? Thanks again!
Jeff_Berkeley(A): Interviews are by invitation only and obviously this is a good sign that we are interested in learning more about you. We expect to hear a variety of things from interviews, including how you present your goals and how the MBA from Berkeley fits into them. Interviews are mostly conducted by students and alumni, so they also offer the opportunity for you to learn more about the community.
RG(Q): Does Haas have a loan forgiveness program for graduates who enter into careers in social impact or non-profit with low salaries?
Cindy_Berkeley(A): The Haas School is pleased to be one of the few top business schools to offer a loan repayment assistance program (LRAP).The LRAP is designed to provide financial support to recent graduates of the MBA program who are employed in the public or nonprofit sectors (where salaries are typically lower). Students working in nonprofit or government positions and earning $80,000 per year or less can apply to be reimbursed for student loan payments for a maximum period of ten years. More info: http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/finaid/lrap.html
mechanical13(Q): What career opportunities does Hass offer for applicants interested in pursuing a career in clean energy?
Jessica_Berkeley(A): mechanical13 - there are a number of career opportunities for those interested in pursuing clean energy. You can see a select number of companies that have hired at Haas here: http://mba.berkeley.edu/careers/employmentreports.html. I'd also recommend reading up on our Energy Institute at Haas and our Cleantech to Market course, http://ei.haas.berkeley.edu/c2m/index.html
RG(Q): What is your advice for students who did the Haas undergraduate program? Are we at a disadvantage?
Lee_Berkeley(A): Our advice for Haas undergrads is the same as our advice to any applicant: submit your best possible application! You are neither at an advantage or a disadvantage in the application review.
aximili85(Q): Emily, you mentioned that Berkeley's dual MBA/MPH is the only integrated one. What about Vanderbilt, Ross' Healthcare focus, Columbia's dual health offering, Duke Fuqua's healthcare stream, how are these degree different? What differentiates Berkeley's dual degree from these programs?
Emily_MBA12(A): Great question! We are the only one with a 1) joint application process - the others you have to apply to both the MBA and MPH programs separately 2) coordinated class core/electives across programs and 3) appointed directors for the dual program. I interviewed A LOT of current students at other programs and they usually have to fulfill the requirements for each program separately and ask for MBA statistics to count instead of biostats for example or vice versa. For us all the paperwork is done - we also get priority in the MPH classes (and MBA too actually) since we have tighter timelines for both degrees. Hope this helps!
Simon(Q): Can you please provide information or links to tuition, scholarship, and financial aid? Thanks.
Jessica_Berkeley(A): Simon, here is a link to our financial aid information: http://mba.berkeley.edu/admissions/finaid/index.html
asdf(Q): Can you introduce the most interesting courses/electives/clubs you consider in Haas?
Mike_MBA13(A): asdf (I like that screen name! haha)…I am only a few months into school, so my answer would be based on limited experience. So I will speak more specifically to the clubs I am involved in. I am a member of the following clubs: Haas Christian Fellowship, the Finance Club, the Investment Club and the Digital Media and Entertainment Club. I am also enrolled in the Haas Socially Responsible Investment Club BILD course, which grants twelve Haas students the ability to manage $1mm of funds in an investment management capacity. signed, jkl;
Vina_Moderator: Hi all, our chat will be ending in about 10 minutes. Speakers will continue to address questions in their queue, but we will stop forwarding questions.
MattAndLixuan(Q): Hi all, this question is for the admissions committee. My name is Matt Huttner, and I'm here with my wife Lixuan Zhou. Both of us live in Beijing and are applying to Haas together. We are both competitive applicants on our own, but how does Berkeley admissions consider married couples?
Cindy_Berkeley(A): Hi Matt, We currently have several couples in the class, actually! Although we encourage couples to apply together- we make our admissions decision based on individual merits. So, it is not something we consider when making a decision.
asdf(Q): My TOEFL is 102, Would it be a problem to apply for Haas, or should I retest it?
Jeff_Berkeley(A): Hi "asdf", this is a determination you will need to make. While our average TOEFL is 110, if you have strengths in other areas that show your English language proficiency, such as a high GMAT verbal or extensive experience using English in your work, it could compensate. That is a judgment call that you'll need to make. Ask yourself thought if you believe you have the time and opportunity to materially raise your score by retaking.
mechanical13(Q): A question regarding recommendations: Do recommenders have to use professional (work) email addresses to submit their recommendations? Would a personal email address i.e. xyz @yahoo.com not be acceptable?
Jeff_Berkeley(A): We strongly prefer work email addresses be used.
MMullen12012(Q): When filling out the Education section of the application, if we were awarded two separate degree types (BS and a BA) from the same institution, how should we be filling this out? Should we just select one? It tells us to list both majors in the 'Major Field of Study' section, but does not allow us to select two degree types if the majors result in different types of degrees from the same university.
Lee_Berkeley(A): Applicants in the past have listed the school twice with each degree in a separate record. We can tell from the dates given that this is a "two degrees granted concurrently" situation...
RG(Q): For Emily: What was your summer internship? More global health focused or business?
Emily_MBA12(A): I worked at Novartis in Basel, Switzerland doing a more "business" focused role in global commercialization. However - since this was a non-US based company I was looking at many different markets (Europe, India, China, Brazil) and so the global piece definitely came in there. Now I'm doing a fellowship through our Center for Responsible Business (CRB) with Lifescan developing diabetes education programs for Latin America - definitely more public health focused on access/capacity building. Generally, students do one "business" and one "public health" internship although it really depends on your career goals!
brianspak(Q): What type of a focus does Haas have on renewable energy and sustainability? Are there a number of courses focused on project development and project finance?
Kara_Berkeley(A): There is a lot of opportunity in the energy space. Visit http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/academics/energy.html to learn more about what you can take advantage of while at Haas.
ajp204(Q): I've seen on your website that Berkeley does a great job of interacting with large, well known firms to provide students with experiential learning opportunities. However, does Berkeley also help students connect with small/medium-sized start-ups in Silicon Valley?
Emily_MBA12(A): Yes of course!! I'd say we do this just as well. Our Mayfield Program is structured to do this for students and we have speakers come in from startups/VCs equally as large companies. We also hold alumni events in Silicon Valley so this is a great way to connect with companies big and small!
Marja(Q): Do you do interviews only in person or do you also conduct them via Skype? (I’m planning to take a short term position abroad after applying in round 2.)
Jeff_Berkeley(A): Interviews are conducted primarily by Haas alumni and current students in Berkeley and around the world. Almost all are conducted face-to-face and we have alumni all over. In a very few cases we have worked with the applicant to meet special needs.
ndz1684(Q): how much of a struggle do you think it will be for students who have no background in business nor were business majors?
Kara_Berkeley(A): It's most important to demonstrate leadership potential, progression, strong impact on your company, to name a few. We have many competitive candidates who come from less traditional business backgrounds.
FuenmayorP12012(Q): What's the criteria for awarding a candidate with financial aid? Is it a separate process? Are international applicants included?
Cindy_Berkeley(A): More information is on our financial aid website. All applicants are automatically considered for a merit scholarship. This decision is provided at the time of admission. Most other scholarships require a separate application. All details are listed on our website: http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/finaid/scholarships.html
aximili85(Q): I'm an international applicant, currently in the Bay Area for a month working with my firm. I wanted to come see Berkeley and sit in a class while I'm here. Who should I contact to arrange a campus visit?
Rocio_Berkeley(A): You may visit our website to read more about our Visitation Program: http://mba.berkeley.edu/admissions/visitation.html. This includes information about registering for a class visit, which you have to register for ahead of time. For the Information Sessions and Lunch with Students, you do not need a reservation.
OOPer(Q): Are the deadlines different for the evening & weekend program?
Cindy_Berkeley(A): Yes - See dates on their website: http://ewmba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/index.html
Karthik_Raman(Q): What international exposure opportunities are there?
Jessica_Berkeley(A): Karthik_Raman --there are a number of international exposure opportunities, but it's best to work with your career advisor directly on those opportunities, since a number of individuals (both international and not) choose to work both in the US and also abroad. Also, as part of our curriculum, you can choose to take an experiential learning course called "IBD", or international business development - http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/groups/IBD/
Eric_S(Q): Haas is known as being a great school for entrepreneurship - could you describe how the environment fuels that spirit?
Kara_Berkeley(A): There are a lot of things that fuel this spirit. Our location in the Bay Area and proximity to Silicon Valley is a huge driver. We also have an amazing Lester Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation that helps facilitate this passion. Take a look at http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/academics/entrepreneurship.html to see what kinds of opportunities are available to our students.
nmartelo(Q): What is the average yearly cost of going to Haas? Including rent and other obligatory expenses.
Rocio_Berkeley(A): You can find this information on the financial aid section of our website at: http://mba.berkeley.edu/admissions/finaid/expenses.html
taffy(Q): Regarding the interview process, do you give a blind interview or a comprehensive non-blind interview?
Kara_Berkeley(A): The admissions interview process is blind. Your interviewer - typically a current student or alum - only sees your resume.LINT52012(Q): Hi, I'm an international applicant. I plan to submit R2, but my TOEFL score will not be ready for me to report online, what can I do? Thanks!
Lee_Berkeley(A): You must have completed the test by December 1 to apply in Rd2. If you have completed the test but do not have your scores yet, fill in the date of the test. When your file is set up, you will be contacted for the scores and by then you should have received them and will be able to provide them via email. Please be sure to have the official scores reported to us, since that will make sure that there is no delay when we need to verify your score.
Tank(Q): What background or experience is required if someone is interested in clean energy?
Cindy_Berkeley(A): You might be interested in speaking to a student in the Berkeley Energy and Resources Collaborative (BERC) club.: http://berc.berkeley.edu/
Eric_S(Q): Do you enjoy the city of Berkeley? Do you spend a lot of time there? Where do most students live?
Emily_MBA12(A): I LOVE BERKELEY!! It's amazing! Coming from DC - also a great city - I love the healthy food/produce/natural aspects of Berkeley and how diverse it is in so many ways. Most students live within walking/biking/bus-riding of school - although many live in Oakland and San Francisco as well - especially if you have a spouse/partner who works in the city. I'd recommend being close to school because you'll love spending time with your classmates and won't want to miss out on the fun social stuff in the evenings - although many people that live further carpool and still make this work too!
ECTech(Q): If Haas students are interested in exploring courses in other graduate departments to enhance their MBA studies, what is the process for this? Is it easy to do and is it a common practice?
Emily_MBA12(A): Yes very easy and common practice!! This is a great part of our experience at Berkeley - we have 38 top 10 graduate programs here.
Scott_Clifford(Q): how important is work experience on the application
Jessica_Berkeley(A): Scott_Clifford -- your work experience is just one component that we look at when we evaluate your application, in addition to clarity of your career goals, as well as your recommendations, GMAT, and undergraduate performance. But because your work experience will contribute significantly to the classroom experience, it's important to have at least 2 years of professional work experience. The average number of years of work experience is 5, with the 80% range of 3-7 years.
Juusan(Q): I’m sorry but I have a similar question about the GMAT schedules: If I’m applying for 2nd round when is the latest I can schedule my GMAT considering that on the same day of the exam I'll get an unofficial score and 20 days later the official score will be delivered to you guys.
Lee_Berkeley(A): You must have completed your test by the deadline for which you apply. If you are applying for Rd2, with a deadline of 11:59PT on 12/1, you must have completed the test by that time so that you are able to self-report your scores (all but the AWA).
Nicolas_Soldi(Q): Since I'm from a South America, is there any chance I could get in touch with current MBA students from Latin America to get their impression of the program and their approach to the admission process?
Jeff_Berkeley(A): You can contact our Haas Student Ambassadors, they can probably put you in touch with students that can help you address your questions. http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/hsateam.html
Karthik_Raman(Q): How difficult/easy is the recruiting process for East coast jobs/internships?
Kara_Berkeley(A): The Career Management Group has connections across the US and the world. There are many opportunities for East Coast based internships and career positions. You can see who recruited on campus here: http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/careers/recentrecruiters.html. There are also many other ways to seek job opportunities outside of on-campus recruitment.
Paolo_Manila(Q): Hi, my long-term career goal is quite different from the work experience which I have built over the past years. Is this taken against an applicant? The reason for the change in paradigm is some recent life-changing events. (i.e. marriage)
Jessica_Berkeley(A): Paolo_Manila -- a number of our students are career switchers, which is perfectly fine. What matters is that you have strategically thought about how you will make that career switch and how Haas can help you achieve that career goal.
justineppie(Q): Hi Mike and/or Emily - can you describe what your social life experience has been like with other students or faculty (outside of the classroom)?
Emily_MBA12(A): I'd say our classmates are our best "experience" at Haas. We love interacting outside the classroom - sometimes for a reason/cause and sometimes just for the sake of spending time together in a very collegial environment. Professors are also open with their time and sometimes invite students over to their house or engage in OUR social events/ fundraisers which are great!
bcarlosf(Q): for a campus visit, lunch with a student program, are visitors paired one on one with current students, or does one current student sit with a group of visitors?
Cindy_Berkeley(A): For the class visit program, there is a current student who will escort you to class. Usually there are several visitors signed up for a class, so you will walk as a group to the class. For the lunch program, we have two current students who will go to lunch (self pay) with all visitors that day. You are not paired 1:1 for these experiences. But some days are busier than others, so it is possible that you would be the sole visitor for a class or lunch.
amunoz(Q): Hi, can you please talk about innovative leadership. What is innovative leadership, and how is it incorporated into the core curriculum?
Kara_Berkeley(A): This is a great question that has a really robust answer, especially here at Berkeley-Haas. I'd encourage you to read more about our BILD program to understand how we approach innovation in the student experience: http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/academics/innovation.html. You'll see that it's a part of the entire MBA experience from courses, to extracurricular involvement, to experiential learning, to the job search, etc.
mamadout12012(Q): Can I conduct my interview online since I am not in the west cost?
Kara_Berkeley(A): Our interviews are done mostly by students and alumni all over the world. As a result, you do not have to travel to campus to interview. We likely have alum nearby you who can conduct your interview.
asdf(Q): Can you introduce the most interesting courses/electives/clubs you consider in Haas?
Jeff_Berkeley(A): asdf, there are too many! And what is interesting to me is probably different that what is interesting to you. Our many electives (http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/academics/elective.html) touch on a lot of different areas. Exciting classes and project work in CSR, clean tech to market, entrepreneurship abound. Of note also are the many experiential learning opportunities, such as the Haas@Work that puts consulting/project teams in leading companies and International Business Development that could take you to another continent to solve pressing real world problems. http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/academics/experiential.html
Andrew_Ullah(Q): Can you apply through the consortium and still be considered for the joint MBA/MPH degree program?
Cindy_Berkeley(A): Yes! Read more: http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/theconsortium.html
Michael_Klueber(Q): Does Admissions look differently at relatively-low GPAs (3.0) of candidates who attended military academies (West Point or Annapolis) as opposed to students from other undergraduate institutes?
Kara_Berkeley(A): Yes, we take into consideration the rigor of the institution you attended as well as the major you pursued.
ktrncrrn(Q): I am interest in the MBA/MPH program -- What does Haas look for in a strong dual-degree candidate in addition to a good GPA and a strong GMAT score?
Jessica_Berkeley(A): krtncrrn -- we are looking for individuals who have a solid understanding as to why they want to pursue the MBA/MPH program. What is it about our program that interests you and how does the MBA/MPH program relate to your career goals.
jorgez(Q): What is the best way to learn about Haas for international students that can't make a visit to the campus?
Kara_Berkeley(A): There are a lot of online resources you can leverage: http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/learnmore.html. You could also reach out directly to the Haas Student Ambassador team at hsa@haas.berkeley.edu - they can help connect you with a current student from your country.
Vina_Moderator: Hi all! Thank you for joining us. The chat is wrapping up and shutting down. We appreciate your questions and we apologize if we didn’t get to all of them. Please check back on our website in about a week for a transcript of today’s chat and information on future chat dates. Go Bears!
Emily_MBA12: Thank you all for your questions - I hope this was helpful. For those interested in the MBA/MPH program we will also be doing a separate webinar for that on Nov 15th at 9am EST. We will discuss the program more deeply and share thoughts from current students and alumni!
Kara_Berkeley: Thanks for all of your questions. Best of luck to you in the admissions process!
Jeff_Berkeley: Thanks for joining us today! Best of luck!
Jessica_Berkeley: Thanks everyone for joining! We hope to see you on campus!
Cindy_Berkeley: Thanks for all of your questions! Go Bears!
Rocio_Berkeley: Thank you for joining us today. Good luck everyone!
Mike_MBA13: Thank you all for your questions. Good luck with the application process! Last words of wisdom: pick the program that fits you best, so do your research before you apply.
Lee_Berkeley: Thanks for all your questions -- it's been good chatting with you all! Go Bears!
